If I were asked to define government work, by tradition, I would say that it has been viewed as being a highly-structured, monolithic, top-down approach environment. But I see this view changing as more and more government agencies begin to introduce new ways to collaborate with its citizens.

The use of Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis and social networking is beginning to fundamentally transform business models and change the way organizations think about collaborative relationships. These tools can deliver to the public sector tremendous opportunities to make-over service delivery, make smarter policies, flatten silos and reinvigorate government. They can also help in streamlining internal operations, increasing effectiveness of government information, and attracting the next generation Y'ers that are tech savvy by enabling them to stay in tune with the needs of the next generation.

I think most of us would agree that sound policy making in our government is best when it is done as a collective -- by public policy makers (government) and the public it serves (citizens and stakeholders). It is our hope that with the use of open 2.0 style tools, the development of Government 2.0 will mean that knowledge will no longer flow from institution to the population, but will be co-created with citizens. Government of the people, by the people, for the people...who knew that the World Wide Web would brings us one small step closer to the vision Lincoln outlined so many years ago.

I look forward to exploring and discussing this topic more at the upcoming Canadian Public Sector Days this week. To learn more about the basics of Web 2.0 join me at my breakout session entitled: What the Canadian Public Sector Needs to Know About Web 2.0.